Tips on Water Proofing Your Toronto Home

There can never be more horrifying , than finding your basement flooded with water.If you see leaks on your walls and floor in the basement area —- there is need to call immediately a professional contractor who specializes in basement waterproofing. You may find it daunting however, that there are many ways to waterproof your basement. What choice do you use?

I. Finding the source of the problem

If there is water entering the basement area, the first thing to do is find the source outside your home. You have to check for cracks in your gutters, downspout, and drainage system — if it is the source of the problem.

Water in the perimeter area of the foundation should flow away and not go towards the exterior walls. Roof drainage should do likewise — hence, position of the basement windows should be located above ground level and be leaded for water tightness.

There is need to check on leaks to prevent spending large sums of money later. Regular maintenance is needed to keep the gutter clean with water flowing away from the house.

II. Get quotations from several companies

The cost of hiring a professional contractor can go to as little as $300 to $500 for minor repairs; and from upwards of $2,000 for major repairs. This is the reason why you need to get estimates from various contractors. Some companies are known to rely on sales techniques rather than quality repairs to get their customers.

Every homeowner wants to have a thorough evaluation of their homes. If contractors only look at a particular area, that should be a cause of concern. He may be employing high pressure selling techniques and you should not be swayed by it. It is advisable to ask around for somebody you can trust.

III. Each Water Proofing Problem is Unique

Each waterproofing problem is different and there is no single cure for all problems. The method that you use should be designed specifically for you. The cause of the problems may be varied —-cracks or deteriorated basement walls, movements in the foundation, inadequate back filling when construction began, clogging and deterioration of drains and sewer lines.

IV. Remedies for waterproofing the basement
The type of repair used is dependent upon the kind of house foundation that you have. Oftentimes, varied repair methods are used to keep it in tip top condition.

V. Paint products used for waterproofing

The use of waterproofing primer and paints are oftentimes not recommended for use by contractors. They are one in saying that this specialized paint would not solve the problem unless the source of the water leak is found.

VI. Crack Injections as Fillers

This type of repair is suitable for foundations where concrete cement is poured. The assumption is that the leaks do not come from the floors but from the walls. A foundation that uses bricks, stones or cinder blocks are oftentimes not ideal candidates for crack injections.

Using epoxy and polyurethane as fillers for cracks can help water in seeping through the basement. However, this method is oftentimes regarded as a band-aid type of solution that would not be suitable as a permanent solution over the long run.

The cost of crack injections can range from $300 to $500, depending on the amount of work to be done.

V. Excavation of the exterior premises for waterproofing

This method would require the excavation of around 6 to 8 feet deep of trenches surrounding the foundation wall. The repair would require the installation of new drainage tiles or French drains. The contractors would apply waterproofing materials to the outer wall so water does not seep in.

The extensive excavation method that requires exterior water proofing, is more expensive than other methods. However, this would be cheaper on the long run since it would no longer require maintenance as soon as the project is completed .
The downside to this method would not only be the cost but the disruption in the home gardens, landscaping, porches and driveways. It is necessary for you to inquire on what portion of the property will be affected before you start. It would be advisable to come up with a plan of action to minimize the destruction of your home’s appearance . Exterior excavation is not advisable on homes that are sitting atop high water table areas.

Typical project cost: $80 – $100 per linear foot

VII. Excavation of the interior premises for waterproofing

A more recent innovation in basement waterproofing is interior excavation because it is cheaper than outer excavation and far less invasive. This method addresses issues on hydro-static pressure – or the pressure of groundwater forcing its way f through the basement walls. The interior excavations system deals with water after it has gained entry into the basement; it is oftentimes called the negative side waterproofing.

This type is also called water control or water management, since it deals with water problems after the fact rather that preventing its entry into the home. When used, it is done by jack hammering the concrete floors to install a new drainage system. The contractor may create trenches of 4 to 18 inches to install the drainage tiles or piping that routes water from seepage areas to the sumping pump system.

To be effective, the new piping system must be free of obstructions. The contractors install access ports for ease of maintenance. A sump pump is then installed to drain the water out. A backup battery-operated sump pump is also put in place to prevent water entry during power outages.

While these methods are less costly than exterior systems, they have their own drawbacks too. Excavating can cause structural damages and may compromise the integrity of the concrete floors and walls.